Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:

• HOT, HOT, HOT - Conference Teacher Assistants

GROUND Zero Teacher Assistance NEEDED - Conference Facilitators need your help! Click here to sign up to serve as a conference teacher assistant. Upon selection, credits will be applied to chapter invoices.

• HOT, HOT, HOT - Here is the Illinois FFA Center HOLIDAY office schedule: December 23, 2024 - Illinois FFA Center Closes at 12:30 p.m. for the Christmas/New Year’s Holidays and CLOSED - December 24, 2024, to January 1, 2025 for Christmas/New Year’s Holiday. FFA Center is open on Thursday, January 2, 2025.  

• GETTING HOTTER - American FFA Degree - Illinois Procedures  - AGAIN THIS YEAR***** The Intent to Apply form is MANDATORY and DUE on January 6, 2025.  BIG ITEM to DOUBLE CHECK - Student EMAIL that is in their profile - DO NOT have an old high school email address they no longer have access to.  PLEASE make sure they UPDATE their email address PRIOR to completing the American FFA Degree application.  

• GETTING HOT - CREW Meeting - January 8, 2025, 6:00 p.m. - MARK your calendars today!  

• GETTING HOT - Alumni Annual Meeting, Friday, January 24 - Saturday, January 25, 2025 Click here for the Alumni Meeting listserv.  

• GETTING HOT - We are THRILLED to announce that Dr. Larry Case will be attending and speaking at the 2025 Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Annual Meeting and will be signing copies of his book. Please fill out this form to preorder your book. This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of history and meet one of FFA’s most influential leaders!  Get a copy of his book entitled; “A Thread of Blue Corduroy” by Dr. Larry D. Case for $25.00.  

• Luke Warm - State Officer Candidate and Parent Orientation - Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 1:oo p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Click here to RSVP. 

****NEW Information****

1.  IL Corn Opens 2025 Scholarship Application Period

2.  December FFA Board Report

1. IL Corn Opens 2025 Scholarship Application Period

IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is excited to announce the 3rd annual scholarship program for students choosing to pursue a degree in the agriculture field.  The submission period for the scholarship period is now open and the application deadline is January 31, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. CST.

"We're excited to deepen our commitment to supporting the next generation," said Dave Rylander, ICGA President and Victoria, Illinois farmer. "Our aim is to make sure that financial barriers don't stop anyone from following a career in agriculture. While this support may not cover all educational costs, we’re eager for the difference it can make."

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant must be a high school senior or a post-secondary student.

• Applicants must be pursuing a degree in an agriculture field in Illinois.

• The application must be submitted by January 31, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

• Scholarship winner must attend at least one IL Corn leadership meeting or event within a year of receiving scholarship.

• Applicant must have an active ICGA membership*

• Each applicant is eligible to receive the IL Corn scholarship only once; previous recipients are not eligible to apply again.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Below are the specific requirements for the IL Corn Growers Association Scholarship that are a part of the online application process by clicking the green button below:

• A completed online application.

• At least one letter of recommendation from non-family member(s).

• Current resume.

• Completed Essay Questions

  • What are the three most important issues facing agriculture today? How would you address them?

  • How do you plan to use this scholarship?

  • Why are you pursuing an ag-related career?

*Parent, sponsor or own membership.  A sponsor can be a farmer or ag industry sponsor.  Must provide their member number in the application process.  

APPLY NOW

2.  December FFA Board Report

The Illinois FFA Board met on Thursday, December 12, 2024.  Please click here for the highlights and to view the December 12, 2024, FFA Board report.  

**** PREVIOUS Information Shared - WORTH Sharing Again****

• PREVIOUS LISTSERVS - CLICK HERE to view - 2024 - 2025 School Year

• CLICK HERE to view - the 2023 - 2024 School Year Previous Listservs

• 2024-25 State CDE/LDE Calendar - Added New Event - 11-7-24

• All Conference Event Information, Flyers, Required Forms, Registration Information

• 2025 State FFA Convention Wyndham Hotel Room Block Link (PAL Full)

*Please NOTE that clicking Dates & Deadlines will take you to the www.ilaged.org calendar.  

• December 20, 2024 - IL FFA Center Christmas Party, 11:30 am - 3:00 pm.

• December 23, 2024 - IL FFA Center CLOSES at 12:30 pm

• December 24-January 1, 2025 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• January 3-4, 2025 - Joint Board Meeting & Section Chairs Meeting, Springfield

• January 6, 2025 - American Degree Intents DUE

• January 8, 2025 - Ground Zero Conference at the Northfield Inn Registration & Food Allergies/Special Meal ENDS

• January 8, 2025 - CREW Virtual Meeting, 3:30-5:00

• January 10, 2025 - IL FFA Alumni and Supporters Registration & Food Allergies/Special Meal ENDS

• January 13, 2025 - IL Foundation FFA Board Meeting, Springfield, IL

• January 15, 2025 - American Degree Applications DUE

• January 15, 2025 -  Ground Zero Conference at the WIU, Macomb Registration & Food Allergies/Special Meal ENDS

• January 17, 2025 -  Ground Zero Conference at the SIU, Carbondale Registration & Food Allergies/Special Meal ENDS

• January 20, 2025 - IL FFA Center Closed for Holiday

• January 20, 2025 -  Ground Zero Conference at the JJC, Joliet Registration & Food Allergies/Special Meal ENDS

• January 22-23, 2025 - Ground Zero Conference, Northfield Inn & Suites, Springfield

• January 23, 2025 -  Ground Zero Conference at the Effingham Registration & Food Allergies/Special Meal ENDS

• January 24, 2025 - State Horse Reasons Mandatory Registration ENDS

• January 24, 2025 - State Horse Non-Reasons Early Bird Registration ENDS

• January 24, 2025 - Special Accommodation Form DUE for State Horse CDE

• January 24-25, 2025 - Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters Annual Meeting & Auction, Springfield, IL

• January 29, 2025 - Ground Zero Conference, WIU, Macomb, IL

• January 31-February 1, 2025 - Ground Zero Conference, SIU, Carbondale, IL